Two RCMP officers are in hospital with serious injuries and one person has been arrested following a shooting in Melville, Sask.
“This incident is a stark reminder of the danger police officers face every day,” Chief Supt. Murray Chamberlin, criminal operations officer for the Saskatchewan RCMP, told reporters during a news conference on Monday.
“What started off as a report of an assault, something we attend to routinely, ended as a potentially life-changing call for two of our officers.”
At around 9:35 p.m. on Sunday, Melville RCMP responded to the report of an assault at a home on 8th Avenue West.
As officers approached the home, a gun was fired and the pair were hit. Chamberlin said he does not believe the officers returned fire.
The two Mounties were transported to a hospital in Regina with injuries described as serious in nature.
“We believe they’re in stable condition,” Chamberlin added. “Like I said, medical care is ongoing.”
Chamberlin declined to share any additional details regarding the injured officers, citing privacy concerns.
The armed suspect, believed to be an adult man, remained inside the home following the shooting.
A plethora of officers responded including members of surrounding RCMP detachments, various units under the Saskatchewan RCMP’s Critical Response Team, the provincial government’s protection and response team in addition to SWAT officers from Regina.
A dangerous persons alert was not issued, as the suspect was contained in the home.
“We were confident that the suspect was contained in the residence, and therefore there was no elevated risk to public safety,” Chamberlin explained.
At around 2 a.m., the suspect and another person exited the home. The suspect was arrested and taken into custody. The other person was detained but later released and cleared of any involvement.
“Charges have not been laid at this time, and as such, I cannot provide information about the individual who is being arrested,” Chamberlin explained.
Saskatchewan RCMP’s Serious Crimes Unit (SCU) is investigating the shooting.
As the investigation continues, Chamberlin said the service will review the incident to see if any measures could have been taken to improve officer safety.
“On any serious incident, we do an internal review, we look at the actions of our members, our policies, is there ways we can do things better,” he added.
“Unfortunately, our job comes with inherent risks, and this is a reminder of that.”
Premier Scott Moe took to social media Monday to share support for those affected by the shooting.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the two seriously injured RCMP officers, their families, friends, colleagues, and the entire Melville community,” his post read.
“On behalf of the people of Saskatchewan, we are hoping for their full and speedy recovery and stand with all those affected by this senseless act of violence.”
Melville, a community of just under 4,500 residents, is located about 150 kilometres northeast of Regina.
